Western Courier

Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Brock Wissmiller Junior third basseman Drew Laidig went 6-for-13, knocked in four runs and scored five in three games against Chicago State last weekend.

Media Credit: Brock Wissmiller Junior infielder Lorenzo Gallaga is in his first year at Western Illinois after transferring from Robert Morris.

The Leathernecks baseball team will be playing an extra game this week, adding a home game on Wednesday against Robert Morris.

The 'Necks (4-14) already played Baseball America's No. 4 school in the nation, Missouri, on Tuesday. Coach Stan Hyman finalized the extra game on Monday and scheduled the Eagles to come to Macomb from Chicago and play the Leathernecks at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

"The way I'm looking at it is that my top priority is to get all of our pitchers work," Hyman said. "We had a great weekend, but in that great weekend we had three starting pitchers combine for 23 of 27 innings, so that means we have 10 pitchers that haven't thrown in a while."

Robert Morris (3-11) is led by senior infielder Bill Storrs, their leader in all offensive categories. Storrs has cranked out three home runs and knocked in 10 RBIs in his 13 games this year.

"They have always been a scrappy team," Hyman said. "They can hit, but pitching has always been their Achilles' heel and I think we will be able to score some runs."

Lorenzo Gallaga, a first-year Leatherneck, transferred from Robert Morris and will no doubt give his new team an edge on Wednesday. The middle infielder has struggled offensively so far this year and will get a shot to turn it around against his old team.

Both games will be unconventionally pitched, giving time for relievers to get innings and limiting the starting pitcher to three innings or less. Hyman has played around with the possibility of starting his closer against Missouri in a surprise move that would throw off the Tigers and assure Todd Nelson (the 'Necks' closer) as many innings as he needs.

"(Nelson) has only seen five innings because we have either been way up and not needed a closer or way down where we didn't need a closer," Hyman said. "So consequently, he and Brian Faulds, my two side-armers, who are my setup and closers from last year, have only seen five innings each. So my goal is to get those guys innings and it may throw some curveballs to Missouri and Robert Morris."

Even with a limited contribution of their dominant starting pitching, the use of several different pitchers could give Western an edge. With a mission to use an array of different pitchers, Hyman can match up his relievers in ideal scenarios and keep both opponents off balance.

These last two games are the final chances for tune-ups before conference play starts this weekend and will finalize the preferred batting order and better define the bullpen. Wednesday's game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.

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